Western

In her first novel to be translated into English, French writer Montalbetti explores the classic tropes of the Wild West through the lens of metafiction in this clever but convoluted story of a silent cowboy with a secret past. Though most of the so-called “action” takes place in the 1800s American West, Montalbetti also jumps to France and contemporary times. The unnamed 30-year-old hero spends most of the novel ruminating on a porch, until a stagecoach appears carrying a significant woman from his past. Spurred on by news the woman brings, the hero rides off to a climactic confrontation. There are myriad digressions into the tiniest details of the setting, incorporating the viewpoints of ants and even droplets of water. While these interludes highlight Montalbetti's keen observational skills and vivid imagination, the almost nonexistent plot may alienate readers looking for a cohesive story. But those willing to work a little harder will enjoy the intellectual and sensual—if not emotional—rewards of the story. (Oct.)